Everything is now online!

We have all found ourselves adjusting to the new normal. For companies, they have had to embrace new ways of working. From remote working, having skeleton staff in the office, moving meetings to virtual rooms instead of the physical meeting rooms. They have had to lay off some staff, had to take pay cuts, had to let go of contractors and so much more just to stay afloat. 

But what did this mean to you and me? Everything going online. Well, for some of us it was about time! For others, it has been a headache. I know this for a fact since I worked with some really technically challenged individuals. Now that most of the work has to be done remotely and online, they are facing the Goliath of their work. I have received calls to help people with small tasks, as small as editing a document on Google to sharing a folder with a team to collaborate etc. Things that to me seem like a normal thing but someone else seems like algebra or very difficult math problems. 

Challenges with going online

I have mentioned a bit of the challenge but there are so many others that have arisen. These include but are not limited to:

• Lack of equipment- not many Kenyans have access to a smartphone let alone a laptop to keep up with the online trend. This locks out a good number of people from access information that could help them to generate income, to add to their skillset etc. Take for instance the school going children whose parents do have a smartphone. they end up missing out on the online courses that some of their peers have access to. 
• Lack of proper knowledge on tech matters- there is a large population that is not technologically savvy. So many factors contribute to this group. Lack of exposure to tech, lack of interest, lack of proper knowledge when it comes to tech (either the level of education was subpar or one couldn't increase their knowledge for lack of funds etc)
• Inequality (the haves and have nots)- this is the brought out clearly. It fits into all the other challenges because there are those with the means to access the technology since it is readily available and there are those that access because they have no means to. 
• Internet inaccessibility- whereby the lack of internet connectivity in some parts of the country is noted. In these places, people at a disadvantage to get alternative means of income like online jobs. We talk internet connectivity but it is true to say that in 2020, there are areas that do not even have cellular reception. 

So with all these challenges, one would question, How then is everything online? It is a simple question deserving of an answer. The answer, in this case, is, the times have moved but we are yet to catch up. Our Government has sadly underutilised the talents and skills that we have in Kenya. We have many people who lack the opportunity but have the brains and the determination to bring this country to the future, today! If only there were incentives, financial aids, equality in terms of education among many other things. 

Opportunities brought about by the pandemic

Our Government lacking is not to say that we still can not achieve the future. We can and we will because if there is something clear from this pandemic, is that the future is here with us. Gone are the days when people would say, remote working was only for those tech giants. Or it is not possible to have internet even in rural areas. Heck, some rural areas do not even have running water and electricity to date, not to talk of internet connectivity. Agreed and that is why this provides us as Kenyans with opportunities. Some include:

• Better working conditions from here on- since the pandemic has led companies to offer things like remote working, flexible work hours etc. There can only be better working days from here on. No more fear that asking for these things could be misconstrued for lazying around. It actually makes the person work even more. Most guys realised that working from home made them work even more than they did when they had to commute to work. This was both a good thing and a bad since everyone has to adjust to the new ways as they try to avoid burn out. 
• Increased online opportunities for jobs- various people turned to the internet to find solutions to earn an income. This led to an increase in online jobs and ventures. It all takes searching for what you want and putting in the work. It has proven to people that what is in our minds is a gold mine, we only need to think it and the internet will provide solutions to achieve it. 
• Provided a new mindset to complete tasks- it was the norm to meet up with friends to go party, now people have learnt to do the same virtually. Even DJs are conducting the clubbing online. For the day to day, meeting with the family has moved to virtual, getting relevant information from the internet to perform tasks easily is now made normal as content creators have increased. 
• Creation of new ventures- others have benefitted from the crisis by generating a new stream of income for themselves. App developers, website creators have had a new niche with a vast target audience to tap into. Schools have had to move to online teaching, sellers have moved to e-commerce platforms to serve their customer, online meeting spaces have become popular and local developers have sort to provide local solutions. There are many more examples I can give
• Self-development opportunities- for those that found themselves with time on their hands, they got to use the time to increase their skills and knowledge. Many platforms offer skills training for free now as a way of giving back to help reduce the impact of COVID. They are providing short courses that can help to improve one's CV in order to prepare people for new opportunities of employment or to venture into entrepreneurship.

Count your blessings

I have mentioned a lot of things in regards to these trying times, both good and bad. Now it is time to count our blessings. Despite everything that has happened, I am sure there are things in hindsight that have been good, for you. Now is the time to count them, one by one. In counting, we will realise that we did not just get hit with bad news upon bad news. We also received good things. 

I will give an example of myself. I lost my income, bills were coming left right centre and some were even outrageous! When I took a step back, I realised that I had also gained so much. I now had time on my hands to dedicate to my blog, I could get into various free online courses to build upon my skills. I used to think that I could only build my skills by taking on a masters degree. I was wrong and narrow-minded. I realised that I can be my own boss. Granted it requires a lot of perseverance and smart work but I could be living my dream instead of just dreaming it. 

Takeaways

I would like you to take that trip as well by following the below actions. I recommend you do, we are after all looking to better ourselves.

1. Count your blessings, list them down so you can read them back to yourself
2. Pick 3 problems that are around you that you think you could solve
3. Now, list down your strengths that would help you come up with the solutions
4. Then, list down your weaknesses that would inhibit you from actualising the solutions
5.  Develop a counter for your weaknesses. e.g. Weakness is lack of information- counter would be seeking information online or from people who would have the information
6. Set clear goals with timelines- this will help you to stay on track and keep you focused
7. Take action- even if it is small steps that you would need to do every day, do it! Just make sure that every day, you have accomplished something that would take you a step closer to your goal

Remember to share with me your progress. I would love to hear from you. It would be one way to keep yourself accountable if you have someone to keep you focused.

Keep a lookout for some of the online work opportunities that I have tried out and recommend in my next article.

Image credits:

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